Nuthatches - Sittelles

The nuthatch family consists of small, tree-climbing birds with a short tail, pointed bill and long, sturdy toes and claws. Nuthatches eat invertebrates and seeds and often store seeds in crevices in bark. Hard-shelled seeds are hammered open in such crevices, hence the name "nuthatch." They often associate in mixed-species feeding flocks with chickadees. 

Most nuthatches are found in Asia, 4 species in North America, 3 of them in Canada and 2 in Ontario. The red-breasted nuthatch is widespread, found in woodlands throughout Canada. The white-breasted nuthatch has a patchy distribution and is found only in some southern parts of Canada. The pygmy nuthatch is rare in Canada and is found only in the southern interior of BC. 

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Did you know ??

Nuthatches are the only birds in North America which have the ability to walk headfirst down trees.